Nauru

Nauru is a small island in the Oceania|South Pacific Ocean south of the Marshall Islands and is the world's third-smallest country; only Monaco and the Vatican City are smaller. An off-the-beaten-track destination if there ever was one, Nauru is also one of the least visited countries in the world, with about only 200 tourists a year. The remoteness and that much of the island is a charmless open phosphate mine are two strong reasons for this.

Nauru Halal Explorer

Another option you can send an e-mail to or . It may take a long time for the visa application to be processed, so you should send your application well ahead of your intended trip. A tourist visa reportedly costs $100 (all prices in #Money|Australian dollars. If you are a journalist and intend to work on Nauru you will need a journalist visa, costing $200, although if you are going to report about the Australian detention centre on the island you might need to fork out $8000. Applications for journalist visas should be directed to: Joanna Olsson, Director of Government Information Office: .

You will be sent a card that you need to fill in and return together with a copy of your passport. The visa fee is paid upon arrival in Nauru. At this time you will have to hand in your passport to the officials to be registered. The passport will be returned to you the next day.

If you're transiting through the American territories (e.g. Guam) on your journey to Nauru, you might need a transit visa or an ESTA, United States#Get in|depending on your nationality].

Customs regulations

Passengers may bring in to Nauru:

400 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 450g of tobacco
three bottles of spirits
a small quantity of perfumes for personal use
a small quantity of audiovisual products

Drugs, explosives, weapons and pornography may not be imported.

Buy a Flight ticket to and from Nauru

As of March 2016 and the national carrier, Nauru Airlines (formerly known as Our Airline and Air Nauru), flies to Nauru from Brisbane, Nadi and Honiara. Flights are rather irregular, with each destination being served one to three times a week.

The GPS -0.544600 , 166.917535 airport is in the Yaren neighborhood in the southwest of the island and is where virtually everyone arrives to and departs from Nauru.

The hotel may or may not send a vehicle to pick you up at the airport; in the worst case you'll have to walk.

By boat

Neither of the two ports in Aiwo and Anibare can accommodate passenger traffic or yachts; they are used for export of phosphate or by local fishermen. As the water is shallow near the coast, larger ships must anchor off shore.

How to get around in Nauru

Island Ring Road - Nauru - View of the ring road

Every year and there are on average 200 tourists in Nauru, so it has the honour of being the least touristed country in the world. Crowds aren't a problem at all. There's hardly any public transportation, so your best option to get around would be in a rented vehicle; car, scooter or bike. Other alternatives are by foot (not very pleasant in the tropical heat and humidity) or hitchhiking, which is quite common on the island.

By public transport

There is a community or island bus which travels around the island every hour or so during the day. It costs $0.50 per trip around the island. Also, local residents sometimes cling to the cars of the goods train between Aiwo and the inland mining area.

By car

Nauru is so small that it takes less than one hour to drive right around it. The 19-km Island Ring Road circles the island and is paved — however this is not the case for most of the inland roads. The airport runway cuts across three of the twenty kilometers of road. The only traffic lights on the island are used to stop the traffic and allow the plane to cross the road to the terminal! This is a favourite souvenir snapshot taken by visitors.

Traffic drives on the left and drivers should be on increased lookout for animals and pedestrians while driving on the beltway.

Cars or bicycles can sometimes be rented from Capelle and Partners and the largest local supermarket. Otherwise you can ask at your hotel or just ask a local. Foreign Muslims need an international driver's licence to drive on Nauru. Fuel shortages are not unheard of.

Local Language in Nauru

The official languages are Nauruan, a distinct Pacific Island language, as well as English. However, just about half of the island's population is fluent in Nauruan, and English is widely understood, spoken, and used for most government and commercial purposes.

What to see in Nauru

Living on a Blue Planet - Nauru - Coral formations in Anibare Bay]

The Nauru experience is pretty much the exact opposite of all the typical South Pacific island clichés. If you're looking for sandy beaches, cool ocean breezes, and pristine blue waters, you'll find precious little of the sort. In fact, if you're looking for pretty much anything that can be described as flashy or tourist-oriented, you're out of luck. But don't write Nauru off just yet: its subtle and offbeat charms are waiting for anyone who's willing to take the time to seek them out — and that goes double for World War II history buffs, urbexers, and anyone who's just looking for a slow-paced, low-key, off-the-beaten-path getaway.

Anibare Bay Anibare neighborhood -0.5301, 166.9530 along the Ring Road - Anibare Bay is the sole exception to the rule cited above about the absence of the classic Polynesian "sandy beaches, cool ocean breezes, and pristine blue waters" experience on Nauru. Here you'll find a fine stretch of white sand surrounded by palm groves, deep and clean enough for proper swimming (among a fantasyland of beautiful coral pinnacles, no less). Anibare is also a great place for seeing the sunrise; at 166°E longitude, Nauru is among the first countries in the world to see a new day. The smaller of Nauru's two ports, {{Marker - GPS: -0.536952, 166.950605Anibare Harbour is at the southern end of the bay. Constructed in the early 2000s with Japanese capital, you can watch local fishermen bring their catch to land here.

Aiwo Harbour Aiwo neighborhood -0.5345, 166.9094 along the Ring Road - The larger port, used by major cargo ships for exporting phosphate and importing various goods including food and fuel. It was built in 1904 to accommodate the phosphate industry at the same time as the narrow-gauge railway that leads down to Aiwo from the mining area in the middle of the island. At the end of the railway and across the road from the harbour and there are plants for refining the phosphate before it's loaded onto ships along the two impressive conveyor belts on pylons jutting into the sea (as a curiosity, tubes along these structures are used to offload fuel from tankers). The place isn't as lively as in its 1970s-80s heyday, and much of it appears run-down. Still, phosphate mining has defined Nauru for more than a century and together with the mining landscape inland it's perhaps the main attraction of the whole island — especially if you're interested in industrial tourism.

Buada Lagoon Buada neighborhood -0.535138, 166.922278 Take the road opposite the Od-N-Aiwo hotel, follow it until it branches and then go left. The road will lead you straight there. - The only body of fresh water on the island, is a very picturesque spot in the lower middle of the island. The lagoon is surrounded on all sides by dense palm trees and other vegetation. Though the water is dirty and not suitable for swimming, it's still a nice photo opportunity — and you can walk all the way around the lagoon, as the sealed road circles it.

Nauru-WWIIrelic - Japanese relic from World War II on Command Ridge.

Command Ridge - 0.530552, 166.916924 Follow the road opposite the Od-N-Aiwo hotel for about 700 m and then when you reach the top of the ridge turn left and walk along the phosphate pinnacles to the far end of the clearing. The ruins are a short distance into the forest - During World War II, Nauru was occupied by the Japanese military from August 1942 until their surrender at the tail end of the war in the wake of three years of near-continuous Allied air raids. Today, rusting relics from this perioid are scattered throughout the island — disused Japanese pillboxes line the shore every couple of kilometres, and old cannons can be seen along roadsides barely hidden by forest or even in plain sight between homes. However, for those who want a firsthand look at Nauru's World War II history, Command Ridge (Nauruan: Janor) is the place to go. As the island's highest point, rising to an elevation of 63 m above sea level, it was a natural lookout point for the occupiers — and today you'll find there a bevy of old artillery emplacements (including a pair of six-barrel anti-aircraft guns still pointed skyward) and the ruins of a prison complex used to hold interned Nauruan natives (who were treated brutally by the Japanese) as well as five members of the Australian military captured during the invasion, and — most impressive of all — the former communications center, now open for any visitors to enter. The interior is not well lit, but bring in a lantern or torch and you'll still be able to make out faded Japanese writing on the walls. Even if you're not a World War II history buff, Command Ridge is one of the most easily accessed country high points in the world, lying a relatively easy 800-metre hike from the road.

Government buildings - Yaren neighborhood -0.547393, 166.917287 On the strip between the runway and the coast - Typical of the very smallest countries in the world, Nauru has no "capital city". The government and the president are seated in the Yaren neighborhood, near the airport. The parliament house, while definitely not as pompous as many others around the world, is one of the island's major monuments. You can also go and see a parliamentary meeting, as they are usually open to the public.

Nauru(41) - Karst landscape with limestone stalagmites in the island's interior

The interior of the island - Topside -0.5236, 166.9376 - The interior of the island is a "moon landscape" as a result of phosphate mining, local residents reportedly call the area Topside. This was the source of the wealth of the island, but nowadays much of the phosphate has been dug up (though there is still mining, on a much smaller scale). The remaining limestone pinnacles have partially been covered with vegetation, creating an environment you maybe wouldn't expect of a South Sea island. Some find the landscape exotic and cool, while others think it's sad how the environment first has been ruined literally from the bottom up by mining, and then "decorated" with old vehicles and mining equipment laying around and rusting away. Finally and the interior of the island also includes the infamous Australian offshore dentention centre, which you may not photograph.

Top Muslim Travel Tips for Nauru

On land

Nauru is one of the few countries in the world you can walk around the whole perimeters of in a reasonable time. A sealed road goes all the way around the island and driving takes about 25 minutes non-stop. A bicycle ride takes 2-3 hours, and a walk maybe 6 hours. There is lots of nice scenery if not much to do and, going from either hotel, Chappelle & Partner department store at the top of the island in Ewa neighborhood makes for a welcome break at halfway around.

If you're into sports, you can watch the local teams battle it out at an Australian rules football match. The national game is played all through Saturday at the GPS -0.5343, 166.9120 Linkbelt Oval sports field.

In the sea

Many beaches on Nauru are shallow, rocky and not very suitable for swimming. Your best option would be Anibare Bay (listed in See above) which also is a great place for seeing the fishermen bringing in the day's catch to Anibare Harbour. If you want to try some fishing yourself and there's one company you can consult:

Equatorial Gamefishing Charters - ☎ +674 557 1008 - Boat charter for big game fishing trips. The company has two boats, equipped with fishing equipment and accommodating five persons each. You can catch fish such as yellow fin tuna, marlin, wahoo and sail fish.

Local events in Nauru

These are the most important festivities during the year:

Independence Day (31 Jan)
Easter (late March or early April)
Constitution Day (17 May)
Angam and the Day of the Return Home (26 Oct)
Christmas (25 Dec)

Muslim Friendly Shopping in Nauru

Money Matters & ATM's in Nauru

Nauru uses the Australian dollar, denoted by the symbol "$" (ISO code: AUD) as its national currency. Cash transactions are the norm; credit cards are rarely accepted. There are no exchange offices in Nauru and the single bank office, Bank of Nauru is usually closed. However in April 2015 the island's first ATM was opened at the Capelle & Partner. You should probably still bring enough Australian dollars in cash for your stay.

Bargaining or tipping are not done on Nauru.

Capelle & Partner | Ewa neighborhood -0.5038, 166.9386 ☎ +674 557 1000 - The only department store and largest business on Nauru. This is the place to go to for Nauru souvenirs, things you forgot to bring and food, drinks and Snacks.

Halal Restaurants in Nauru

Most food is imported from Australia and arrives by ship or air, usually once every six to eight weeks. You can find western and Asian (primarily Chinese) food. Because of the tropical climate dishes might not be as heavy and hearty as the original versions. As not all ingredients may be available, dishes are often rather simple.

Since Nauru is an island nation, seafood is very popular in its restaurants. Cooked and smoked hams are also very popular, as Meat is one of their main dishes.

Fast food kiosk - 0.50346, 166.93864 - At Capelle's supermarket, in the north of the island. Serves western fast food.

Kasuo - 0.53722, 166.91090 - Chinese restaurant near the Aiwo hotel. Serves mostly fish and fried Rice and noodles.

In addition to these, you'll also find some small affordable "eating places", selling Chinese food.

Anibare - 0.5428, 166.9505 at Menen Hotel - Seafood and international.

The Bay Restaurant - 0.53503, 166.95015Anibare Bay - Specialising in fish dishes, but has pizza and Indian food. Actually located in Anibare, where the local fishing boats arrive. Popular with Muslim visitors and local residents alike, review sites rank this as the best restaurant on the island.

Oriental - GPS -0.5436, 166.9504 at Menen Hotel - Different Asian food (Thai, Indian, Chinese).

Reynaldo's - GPS -0.54484, 166.91828 next to the airport terminal - Reynaldo's is a popular name in the list of restaurants in Nauru. It is a local restaurant that offers authentic Chinese cuisines. Also one of the few places on Nauru serving alcohol.

Antinas Yaren neighborhood -0.5514, 166.9261 near the southern end of the runway - Somewhat upscale seafood restaurant, also serving alcohol.

Reef Bar - 0.5432, 166.9505 at the Menen Hotel - The only public bar in Nauru. If you're staying at the other hotel on the island, Od-N-Aiwo, it's about 5.5 kilometers away along the ring road. It serves Australian soft drinks and international spirits. The barroom has a couple of swimmingpool tables, satellite TV and recorded music. It's lively at the weekends, as Nauruans are paid on Fridays, and quiet on weeknights. New faces will be enthusiastically welcomed by the local residents and the expats will usually have a chat. No flip flops/thongs (enclosed sandals are OK) and men must wear a shirt with a collar.

Other than that, restaurants and retail outlets offer soft drinks and some also have beverages.

eHalal Group Launches Halal Guide to Nauru

Nauru - eHalal Travel Group, a leading provider of innovative Halal travel solutions for Muslim travelers to Nauru, is thrilled to announce the official launch of its comprehensive Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Nauru. This groundbreaking initiative aims to cater to the diverse needs of Muslim travelers, offering them a seamless and enriching travel experience in Nauru and its surrounding regions.

With the steady growth of Muslim tourism worldwide, eHalal Travel Group recognizes the importance of providing Muslim travelers with accessible, accurate, and up-to-date information to support their travel aspirations to Nauru. The Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide is designed to be a one-stop resource, offering an array of invaluable information on various travel aspects, all carefully curated to align with Islamic principles and values.

The Travel Guide encompasses a wide range of features that will undoubtedly enhance the travel experience for Muslim visitors to Nauru. Key components include:

Halal-Friendly Accommodations inNauru: A carefully selected list of hotels, lodges, and vacation rentals that cater to halal requirements, ensuring a comfortable and welcoming stay for Muslim travelers in Nauru.

Halal Food, Restaurants and Dining in Nauru: A comprehensive directory of restaurants, eateries, and food outlets offering halal-certified or halal-friendly options in Nauru, allowing Muslim travelers to savor local cuisines without compromising their dietary preferences in Nauru.

Prayer Facilities: Information on masjids, prayer rooms, and suitable locations for daily prayers in Nauru, ensuring ease and convenience for Muslim visitors in fulfilling their religious obligations.

Local Attractions: An engaging compilation of Muslim-friendly attractions, cultural sites such as Museums, and points of interest in Nauru, enabling travelers to explore the city's rich heritage while adhering to their values.

Transport and Logistics: Practical guidance on transportation options that accommodate Muslim travel needs, ensuring seamless movement within Nauru and beyond.

Speaking about the launch, Irwan Shah, Chief Technology Officer of eHalal Travel Group in Nauru, stated, "We are thrilled to introduce our Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide in Nauru, a Muslim friendly destination known for its cultural richness and historical significance. Our goal is to empower Muslim travelers with accurate information and resources, enabling them to experience the wonders of Nauru without any concerns about their faith-based requirements. This initiative reaffirms our commitment to creating inclusive and memorable travel experiences for all our clients."

The eHalal Travel Group's Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Nauru is now accessible on this page. The guide will be regularly updated to ensure that Muslim travelers have access to the latest information, thus reinforcing its status as a reliable companion for Muslim travelers exploring Nauru.

About eHalal Travel Group:

eHalal Travel Group Nauru is a prominent name in the global Muslim travel industry, dedicated to providing innovative and all-inclusive travel solutions tailored to the needs of Muslim travelers worldwide. With a commitment to excellence and inclusivity, eHalal Travel Group aims to foster a seamless travel experience for its clients while respecting their religious and cultural values.

For Halal business inquiries in Nauru, please contact:

eHalal Travel Group Nauru Media: info@ehalal.io

Buy Muslim Friendly condos, Houses and Villas in Nauru

eHalal Group Nauru is a prominent real estate company specializing in providing Muslim-friendly properties in Nauru. Our mission is to cater to the specific needs and preferences of the Muslim community by offering a wide range of halal-certified residential and commercial properties, including houses, condos, and factories. With our commitment to excellence, client satisfaction, and adherence to Islamic principles, eHalal Group has established itself as a trusted name in the real estate industry in Nauru.

At eHalal Group, we understand the importance of meeting the unique requirements of Muslim individuals and families seeking properties that align with their cultural and religious trainings. Our extensive portfolio of Muslim-friendly properties in Nauru ensures that clients have access to a diverse selection of options tailored to their needs. Whether it's a luxurious villa, a modern condominium, or a fully equipped factory, our team is dedicated to assisting clients in finding their ideal property.

For those seeking a comfortable and modern living space, our condos are an excellent choice. Starting at US$ 350,000 and these condominium units offer contemporary designs, state-of-the-art facilities, and convenient locations within Nauru. Each condo is thoughtfully designed to incorporate halal-friendly features and amenities, ensuring a seamless integration of Islamic values into everyday living.

If you are looking for a more spacious option, our houses are perfect for you. Starting at US$ 650,000, our houses provide ample living space, privacy, and a range of customizable features to meet your specific requirements. These houses are located in well-established neighborhoods in Nauru, offering a harmonious balance between modern living and Islamic values.

For those seeking luxury and exclusivity, our luxury villas in Nauru are the epitome of sophistication and elegance. Starting at US$ 1.5 million and these villas offer a lavish lifestyle with private amenities, breathtaking views, and meticulous attention to detail. Each luxury villa is meticulously designed to provide a serene and halal environment, allowing you to enjoy the finest living experience while adhering to your Islamic principles. For further details please email us at realestate@halal.io

Muslim Friendly Hotels

Sunset in Nauru, December 2012. Photo- Angela Spalding, Australian adviser (12045829493) - Sunset

There are two hotels and the more expensive Menen on the east of the island and the budget Od'n Aiwo to the west. In addition to these and the supermarket has guest rooms in the north of the island.

Capelle & Partner Ewa Lodge - GPS -0.5037, 166.9388 Capelle & Partner ☎ +674 557 1000 $95 - In Ewa, northwestern Nauru. The supermarket complex offers accommodation seven self-catering apartments and five rooms.

Menen Hotel - Anibare District -0.543056, 166.950556 On the coastal belt road, to the east side of the island and south of Anibare Bay. ☎ +674 557 8020 $95-160, suites $255-500 Menen Hotel Menen Hotel The Menen is Nauru's largest hotel, boasting 119 rooms and conference facilities for up to 200. It has two restaurants and the island's only café.

Od'n Aiwo Hotel | Aiwo District -0.536944, 166.911111 On the coastal belt road, to the west side of the island, directly opposite the road inland to Buada

| contacts= +674 556 9203/ 5541967 3701 US$40-80 OD-N-Aiwo Hotel The less expensive of the two hotels on Nauru. Popular with backpackers, it has fewer rooms than Menen but is still the tallest building on the island. The hotel has two restaurants.

Stay Safe

Nauru is a peaceful island and all kinds of crime are very rare. In emergency situations you can call either emergency number (117 or 118) or go to the police station, which is near the airport.

While earthquakes are not a risk on Nauru itself, it can potentially be struck by tsunamis resulting from earthquakes along the Ring of Fire, which surrounds the Pacific Ocean.

There are no records of a cyclone ever hitting Nauru, and right at the Equator they are rare. Nevertheless, if you visit during height of the wet season, be prepared for heavy rain and thunderstorms.

Swimming and surfing

Like many other Pacific islands, Nauru is surrounded by a shallow reef with cut-outs through the reef providing access for boats and harbours, and there can be strong currents across the shallow water, moving boats in the harbours, and dangerous marine animals on the reef floor. Ask for advice before venturing into the water.

Medical Issues in Nauru

Water supply in Nauru is dependent on rainwater collected into tanks from the roofs of houses and from an aging reverse osmosis desalination plant. You should avoid tap water.

Emergency: 118 or 117
Nauru General Hospital: +674 555-4302

Considering its size and remoteness, Nauru has a decent healthcare system. Aside from the rampant problem of obesity among the population and the infant mortality and life expectation numbers are on par with industrialised nations. There are two hospitals on the island, Nauru General Hospital and RON Hospital, both located in the Denigomodu neighborhood in the west of the island. However, if you have contracted anything more serious you may need to get transferred to Australia. Needless to say, it's best to have a good travel insurance when visiting Nauru!

The tropical diseases usually encountered in equatorial countries are less of a risk in Nauru, although it's recommended to get a hepatitis B shot. There is a risk of dengue fever, though, so you should protect yourself from mosquito bites.

If you come from a country where yellow fever is endemic or you've visited such a country in the last six days, you need to have proof of yellow fever vaccination.

Local Customs in Nauru

Nauru is a Christian country, and Christian values and rules of conduct apply.

It is illegal to import pornographic material, and the government also blocks access to Internet porn.
Open displays of affection between same-sex partners may offend some in Nauru.
The trafficking of drugs and narcotics of any kind will be punished severely.
There is one place on the island that you may not photograph: the Australian processing centre for asylum seekers.

Cope

I plug - Australian-type plug

There are three newspapers in both Nauruan and English; Nasero Bulletin, Central Star News and Nauru Chronicle. Foreign newspapers are non-existent and information from the rest of the world comes from the Internet and satellite television and radio — in fact there's no local broadcasting.

The mains voltage is 240 V/50 Hz, and the plugs are Australian style. Brownouts are quite frequent.

Telecommunications in Nauru

Postal Services in Nauru

There are a couple of postal offices on the island from where you can send post.

Embassies

There are only two embassies on Nauru; the closest embassies of most other countries are in either Australia or New Zealand.

Australian High Commission in the Republic of Nauru - M & MQQ3 - NPC OE - Aiwo District ☎ +674 557 3380 +674 557 3382

Embassy of the Province of China (Taiwan) - 1st., Civic Center, Aiwo District ☎ +674 557 3333 Opening Hours: Monday to Friday 06:00-18:00

Telephony

There are public phones and a mobile phone network. You may need to buy a SIM card from the local operator Digicel if your home operator doesn't have a roaming contract with Nauru.

Internet

CenpacNet inc.] is the only Internet provider, and it also owns the national domain .nr. It operates the only Internet café on Nauru:

Cenpac's internet café Civic Centre, Aiwo neighborhood -0.538782 , 166.911905 along the Ring Road

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Other than that, hotels offer computers to get online.

News & References Nauru

Travel Next

Virtually everyone comes and goes by the local airline and thus your next destination will be Australia or one of the few small Oceanian islands (Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia and the Solomon Islands) the local airline flies to. When leaving Nauru, locally produced goods may be subjected to export duties.